Source code editor for editing multilanguage documents

Abstract

A source code editor is used to develop multilanguage documents while providing the advanced editing functionality of secondary editors and without requiring the programmer to explicitly open and interface with the secondary editors. The multilanguage document is presented to the user in a primary application view of the primary editor. Code segments written in different languages are identified and sent to the appropriate secondary editors, which in turn create secondary documents that are transparent to the programmer. As edits are made to the primary application view of the document, the edits are replicated by the secondary editors behind the scene. Functionality that is enabled by the secondary editors, such as syntax coloring, auto-completion, and validation is identified by the primary editor and replicated in the primary application view, so as to appear as if the primary editor is inherently configured with the leveraged functionality of the secondary editors.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. The Field of the Invention[0002]One problem with advanced editing tools and corresponding editors, however, is that they are not currently configured to extend the advanced editing features, such as validation, syntax coloring, and intellisense, to code segments that are written in different languages, even if they belong to the same file.[0003]2. Background and Relevant Art[0004]There are many different types of systems and environments that can be used by a computer programmer to develop code and create computer programs. These systems and environments are collectively referred to herein as Integrated Development Environments (IDE's). IDE's typically include graphical interfaces and utilize an editor having specialized tools and components for developing code in a particular language.[0005]Many editors also provide advanced features that can make the programmer's work easier. These advanced features include such things as syntax coloring, intell...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about methods and systems for developing multilanguage documents using a single editor. The invention allows the programmer to use the functionality provided by multiple secondary editors corresponding to different programming languages present in the document, without needing to open or interface with them explicitly. The invention also allows the programmer to replicate the edits made in the primary application view to the secondary documents and display menus provided by the secondary editors within the primary application view for utilization by the user. The technical effects of the invention include improved efficiency and flexibility in developing multilanguage documents.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with advanced editing tools and corresponding editors, however, is that they are not currently configured to extend the advanced editing features, such as validation, syntax coloring, and intellisense, to code segments that are written in different languages, even if they belong to the same file.

This, however, can be a problem when considering the current movement in computer programming.

Yet another problem with editing multilanguage documents is that certain programming technologies, such as ASP.NET permit omissions in the source code, such as, for example, the omission of class and namespace declarations, but such omissions do not permit the source code to be processed by the language compiler.

Because the editor being used to edit the document may not recognize the secondary languages and omissions present in the secondary languages, however, the omissions are not readily apparent and are not automatically fixed by the editor, thereby increasing the burden on the programmer to develop and process the code.

In summary, although many existing editors provide useful advanced editing features that can help a programmer develop code, the use of the advanced features are effectively limited to the application of a single programming language.

Accordingly, in order to utilize the advanced features provided by the different editors for each of the corresponding languages of a multilanguage document, it is currently necessary for the programmer to manually open the document within each of the different editors that are to be utilized and explicitly interface with the different editors, thereby increasing the burden and time required to develop the code.

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